task4题目 Reading Part:

　　Ritualization

　　Social biologists believe that some communicative behavior in animals is developed through a process called ritualization. In this process, the purpose of a given behavior changes over time—a behavior that originally had a practical purpose develops into one that communicates a specific message. For example, a certain movement or physical feature might evolve to serve as a signal or warning that other animals will understand. Once a behavior is ritualized, it becomes a form of communication; therefore, if an animal engages in this behavior, other animals will be able to interpret the meaning o the behavior quickly and respond appropriately.

　　Listening Part:

　　Listen to part of a lecture on this topic in a zoology class.

　　(man)

　　Let’s start with an example you may be familiar with. What’s one thing dogs typically do when they feel threatened? They want to protect themselves. That’s right, they show their teeth. And when we see this, we know this behavior means basically stay away. Now, here’s how this behavior became a recognizable warning. A long long time ago, a dog sensing danger would get read y to bite whatever animal was threatening it. It started by baring its teeth, but the propose of doing it was something very simple: the dog instinctively was making sure that it didn't bite its own lips when it bit the other animal, ok? But what happened, other dogs, other animals, over time, they learned that this teeth baring always came before a dog was going to bite, and so they started to read it as a signal to be careful, to keep away, or risk getting bitten.

　　This scenario, repeated time after time also led to the dog’s awareness that simply showing its teeth, a lot of the time that was protection enough. What had been a simple preparation to bite had developed into a kind of defense mechanism in and of itself. The dog learned that it did not need to actually attack; but could get the right result by communicating the possibility of attack through showing its teeth. It started to use this behavior as a warning signal.

　　Question:

　　Explain the concept of ritualization using the example of dogs discussed by the professor.

　　答案解析：

　　1.Listening key

　　Term: Ritualization

　　Definition: an animal behavior that had practical purpose can develop into something that can deliver a specific message.

　　2.Listening key

　　Example of why dogs bare their teeth

　　(2.1) In the beginning, dogs bared their teeth to avoid biting their lips when they fight

　　(2.2) Other animals took a hint this means the dog is ready to attack

　　(2.3) Dogs realized teeth baring can make the other animals back off

　　(2.4) By doing this dogs can scare others off without actually attacking

　　(2.5) Dogs started using it as a warning signal